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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the Putnam County Child Abuse Prevention Task Force encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Putnam County a better place for children and families.
By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills and resources they need to care for their children, concerned citizens can help promote the social and emotional well-being of children and youth and prevent child maltreatment within families and communities.
Protective factors are the strengths and resources families draw on during difficult times to shield them from life’s stresses. Research shows that when parents possess protective factors, the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and optimal outcomes for children, youth and families are promoted.
Major protective factors include knowledge of parenting, knowledge of child development, parental resilience, social connections and concrete support.
“As a community, we must all embrace the responsibility that we can all play a part in preventing child abuse,” Family Support Services of West Central Indiana Director Scott Monnett said. “Be willing to give of your time, to provide mentorship opportunities, volunteer as a CASA or participate in activities supporting youth and families. Identify an agency that works every day to prevent child abuse and supports victims and ask them how you can make a difference. Our community has a strong network that works together to prevent child abuse and support is needed to continue the work.”
In Indiana, law requires any adult who suspects a child is being abused or neglected to report those suspicions to state or local law enforcement. Reports can be made anonymously 24/7 via the Indiana Department of Child Services hotline: 1-800-800-5556.
Throughout the month in and around Putnam County you will find displays and pinwheel gardens at schools, businesses and in other key locations to help bring awareness to the issue.
Every Friday at 8:30 a.m. you can tune into WREB 94.3 to hear a local service provider tell their organizational story during the Alicia in the Morning Show, visit Breadworks to purchase Blue Donuts to help bring awareness or you can contact Family Support Services to request a pinwheel garden and poster to display at your home or business.
For more information about child abuse prevention programs and activities during the month of April, and throughout the year, or to be connected to a specific agency, contact Family Support Services of West Central Indiana at 653-4820, extension 100.